Finite-dimensional controller design for semilinear parabolic systems

This paper considers the stabilization of steady-state Solutions of a semilinear parabolic system using finite-dimensional feedback controllers with support in an arbitrary open subset and which are active in one equation only. It is shown that such a controller, with dimension given by the largest algebraic multiplicity of the unstable eigenvalues of the linearized system, exponentially stabilizes the steady-state Solution. An optimal design methodology for these types of controllers, which is based oil the finite element approximation of the semilinear parabolic system, is introduced and illustrated by numerical simulation examples. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.